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Select COP currency, enter your NIT number, and IVA calculates at 19% automatically.
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Invoice requirements in Colombia
Colombian invoices are regulated by DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales). For electronic invoicing (factura electrónica), businesses registered with DIAN must use authorized software. For informal transactions and freelancers, a professional PDF invoice with the following fields is standard practice:
- NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria) — Colombian tax ID
- IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) — standard rate is 19%
- COP currency — Colombian Peso
- Consecutive invoice number
- Issue date and payment terms
💡 Enter your NIT in the 'RFC / NIF / RUT' field. Select COP as currency and set IVA to 19%. FacturaPDF handles all calculations automatically.
IVA Rates in Colombia 2026
| Rate | Applies to |
|---|
| 19% — General | Most goods and services |
| 5% — Reduced | Some agricultural equipment, medical devices |
| 0% — Zero-rated | Basic food items, medicines, education, exports |
| Exempt | Financial services, health services, land |
Colombian tax obligations for freelancers
In Colombia, the DIAN (tax authority) requires electronic invoicing for most commercial activities. FacturaPDF is useful for professional service receipts, estimates, and informal documents — not for official electronic invoices with CUFE code required by DIAN.
Key Colombian tax concepts
- NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria): tax ID for companies. Natural persons use their cédula (national ID). Mandatory on formal invoices.
- IVA: 19% general rate for most services. Some services are excluded (medical, education) or exempt.
- Retención en la fuente: companies withhold a percentage from your payment (typically 11% for professional services) and remit it to DIAN on your behalf.
- Régimen Simple de Tributación (RST): simplified regime for small contributors with income up to 100,000 UVT/year. Combines IVA, income tax and municipal tax in one payment.
Colombian freelance taxes in practice
Understanding Colombia's tax system helps you price your services correctly and avoid surprises. Here are the key elements:
- IVA (19%): if you're classified as a "responsable de IVA" (above the income/asset thresholds), you charge 19% IVA on your invoices and file bimonthly declarations with DIAN.
- Retención en la fuente: when Colombian companies pay you, they typically withhold 11% of your fee as income tax advance (retención por honorarios) and 15% of the IVA. Both are deposited with DIAN on your behalf and credited against your annual tax return.
- ICA (Impuesto de Industria y Comercio): a local tax levied by municipalities. Rates vary by city (typically 4-10‰ on gross income). Bogotá, Medellín and other major cities have different rates.
- Régimen Simple de Tributación (RST): a simplified regime for contributors earning up to 100,000 UVT/year that combines IVA, income tax and ICA in one quarterly payment.
Example — Professional services invoice, COP 5,000,000:
Base: COP 5,000,000 | IVA 19%: +COP 950,000 | Subtotal: COP 5,950,000
Retención renta (11%): −COP 550,000 | Retención IVA (15% del IVA): −COP 142,500
Amount actually received: COP 5,257,500
Colombian tax system for freelancers: practical guide
Whether you are a Colombian freelancer or a foreign contractor working with Colombian clients, understanding the basics of Colombian taxation helps you invoice correctly and avoid surprises.
IVA — 19% for most services
Colombia's general IVA rate is 19%. You are required to charge IVA if you are classified as "responsable de IVA" by DIAN. Below the income and asset thresholds, you are "no responsable" and don't charge or file IVA declarations.
Retención en la fuente — income tax withholding
When Colombian companies pay you for professional services, they typically withhold 11% of your gross fee as income tax advance. They also withhold 15% of the IVA amount (retención IVA). Both amounts are deposited with DIAN on your behalf. Your bank transfer will be for the net amount after these deductions.
Example: COP 3,000,000 professional services invoice
- Service fee: COP 3,000,000
- IVA 19%: + COP 570,000
- Retención renta (11%): − COP 330,000
- Retención IVA (15% × IVA): − COP 85,500
- Net amount received: COP 3,154,500
FacturaPDF allows you to generate professional invoices in COP or USD. For the official DIAN electronic invoice (factura electrónica with CUFE code), you need a DIAN-authorized provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a NIT number and where does it go on the invoice?+
NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria) is Colombia's business tax ID assigned by DIAN. It's required on all business invoices. In FacturaPDF, enter your NIT in the tax ID field for both the issuer and the client.
What IVA rate applies to professional services in Colombia?+
Most professional services in Colombia are taxed at the general IVA rate of 19%. Some services are excluded (medical, educational, residential rent). If you are "no responsable de IVA", you don't charge IVA on your invoices.
Can I create invoices in USD for Colombian clients?+
Yes. FacturaPDF supports both COP (Colombian Pesos) and USD. International transactions are often invoiced in USD. You can add the exchange rate reference in the notes field for your client's records.
Is FacturaPDF valid for DIAN electronic invoicing?+
For official DIAN electronic invoicing (factura electrónica with CUFE code), you need DIAN-authorized software. FacturaPDF generates professional PDF invoices ideal for freelancers, consultants, and service receipts between parties who don't require official DIAN validation.
What is retención en la fuente in Colombia?+
When Colombian companies pay you for professional services, they withhold a percentage (typically 11% retención renta + 15% retención IVA) and pay it to DIAN on your behalf. You receive the net amount. These retenciones are credited against your annual income tax declaration.